The author of a 2009 Michigan Notable Book that salutes the people, natural beauty and lore of the rural Midwest will read from his works at Alma College.

The Michigan Author Speaker Series presents a reading by Tom Springer at 7 p.m. Monday, March 15, in the Alma College Library. A book signing and reception follows. Admission is free and open to the public.

Springer’s most recent work is “Looking for Hickories: The Forgotten Wildness of the Rural Midwest.” Described as both touching and humorous, “Looking for Hickories” attempts to capture the essence of the upper Midwest’s character, with subjects that range from barn building to land preservation to trees.

A review in the Traverse City Record-Eagle stated, “‘Looking for Hickories’ is a book worth having. These are not essays written in haste. Rather, these are pieces written as good essays should be written, with the writer pulling us in with him on the pretext of giving one message then promptly delivering another.”

Springer is a senior editor at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek. For the foundation, he wrote the books “Blessed with Children” and “How to Unravel Science Mysteries for Young Minds Without Unraveling.”

He also has written about nature and outdoor travel for newspapers and magazines such as “Backpacker,” “Michigan Out-of-Doors” and “Notre Dame.” His nature-themed commentaries have aired on several National Public Radio programs.

Springer holds a master’s degree in environmental journalism from Michigan State University. He lives near Three Rivers.